Behavioral Health Clinician in Lawrence, Massachusetts at Merrimack Health

As the Behavioral Health Clinician, you will seek a mission driven and compassionate individual dedicated to providing superior care to make a difference in the lives of clients we serve. Our Clinicians use creative problem-solving and evidence-based treatment to provide the most up-to-date care for our clients. The Behavioral Health Clinician will work with a multidisciplinary team and provide person-centered, low-threshold access. The ideal candidate must function and collaborate well, is organized, empathetic, and motivated to help clients meet their goals and improve their lives. Full-time, part-time and per diem shifts available, on-site is preferred, with consideration to work remotely or a hybrid.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Has an understanding of all levels of Behavioral Health care and accessing it appropriately.
• Perform crisis evaluations for new patients presenting to LGH with a behavioral health diagnosis.
• Conduct intakes assessments to determine the appropriate level of care needed (inpatient behavioral health, outpatient behavioral home health with outpatient f/u, etc.).
• Initiate inpatient bed search or referral to outpatient behavioral health program, in collaboration with Bed Finder health needs.
• Work on collaboration with LGH staff, Behavioral Health Care Coordinator, and Technicians to develop an individualized comprehensive treatment plans and care coordination with the client, their providers and other community supports.
• Coordinate with client’s existing care team to ensure a team-based approach to addressing the client’s behavioral health and medical needs.
• Report and respond to changes in patient condition by performing mental status updates (MSUs) every 24 hours for patients awaiting transfer to inpatient Behavior Health facilities.
• Identify and provide regular updates to LGH staff, patient’s family members, caregivers, outpatient providers, group home staff, Care Managers/Case Workers.
• Document all clinical encounters in a concise, timely and clinically sound manner utilizing Meditech assessment templates.
• Provide clinical information needed for prior authorization to inpatient Behavioral Health facilities as needed.
• Document all patient encounters in Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership (MBHP) system.
• Adheres to confidentiality requirements set by HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Required:

• Independently Licensed Social Workers (LICSW) /Mental Health Counselors (LMHC) or Social Worker acceptable (will work under the supervisor of a Licensed Clinician)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Preferred:

• Master’s Degree in Social Work/Mental Health
• Independently license LCSW, MSW
• Knowledge of Meditech
• Knowledge of hospital setting